Machine-readable finding aid created by Kora Welsh as MS Word document, August 2013. Finding aid was encoded by Christine McEvilly on October 16, 2013. Description is in English.

Eliot Snider was President of Massachusetts Lumber and involved in several regional and national organizations, including the Young Presidents Organization, Beth Israel Hospital of Boston, Massachusetts, and the National Council of Economic Education (NCEE). This collection contains documents and artifacts pertaining to Eliot Snider’s business, philanthropic, and family activities, including photographs, meeting minutes, operational records of Massachusetts Lumber, financial ledgers, and blueprints.

Eliot I. Snider was born on April 10, 1921 to Harry and Lena (Korelitz) Snider. Harry Snider was a Lithuanian immigrant, who came to the United States from Vilnius at the turn of the 20th century. In 1917, he founded Massachusetts Lime and Cement Company. Operating as a lime, cement, and lumber yard on a three-acre site on Portland Street in Cambridge, the company was soon renamed the Massachusetts Lumber Company. Eliot attended Boston Latin School, graduating in 1937. He continued his education at Harvard University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in 1941 and, as a Baker Scholar, an MBA with distinction in 1943. After graduate school, Eliot served in the United States Navy, where he was involved, until 1946, in teaching and industrial engineering for the Ordnance Department in Materials Handling.

After his service, Eliot went to work for his father’s company, which had acquired George McQuesten Company in East Boston in 1937. Eliot worked at George McQuesten for six years, until Massachusetts Lumber was rearranged in 1953. The parent company and commercial outlet remained Massachusetts Lumber, while lumber wholesale under George McQuesten was moved from East Boston to North Billerica. Eliot was named President of Massachusetts Lumber and continued to expand company operations through the 1950s and 1960s. Acquiring other companies during this period, Massachusetts Lumber established branches and wholesale warehouses in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine.

In 1957, the company established Wood Fabricators Inc. to expand commercial operations through fabricating wood products in the relatively new industry of laminated wood beams and arches. Operating the only glue laminating plant in the region at the time, Wood Fabricators Inc. supplied builders and architects creating custom houses and commercial buildings with standard components and design materials. They promoted proprietary products, which cost less to manufacture than their steel counterparts, and engineered roof structures. In 1968, they were issued a patent (#3364646) for WOODBAR, a joist constructed from laminated wood to replace the conventional steel bar joist.

Massachusetts Lumber Company continued to expand operations through subsidiary businesses, such as ForTek (utility pole distribution) and Fortank (specialized tractor trailers). In 1998, business operations were sold to Hood Industries, Inc. of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This sale included inventory, equipment, and the name McQuesten, but not real estate. The Massachusetts Lumber properties were leased to Hood Industries (d/b/a McQuesten) and the majority of Massachusetts Lumber’s business remained managing real estate and investments, with Eliot Snider as the sole stockholder, Director, President, and Treasurer.

In addition to his business activities, Eliot Snider was actively involved in a number of regional and national organizations. joining the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) in 1957, Eliot, with his wife Ruth, traveled extensively in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States and around the world to attend conventions and programs. Eliot served the YPO as a director for nine years and then as the VP International. Over the course of his full tenure with the organization, which ended with his required retirement at age 50, he attended fourteen YPO Universities, each held for six days in a different city.2 In 1970, Eliot became a member of the Chief Executives Organization and the World Presidents Organization, allowing him to attend conferences on world trade and politics and continue developing his business leadership. These organizations facilitated meetings with political and diplomatic dignitaries, and also permitted Eliot to study the lumber and timber industry worldwide.

As an active alumnus of Harvard University, Eliot served as President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association and was a key participant in developing the Business School’s Initiative on Social Enterprise. He was the Director of the Harvard Business School Board of Directors of the Associates, and founded the Eliot I. Snider and Family Professorship of Business Administration. Eliot’s involvement with Harvard extended beyond the Business School to the School of Public Health, where he has served on the Dean’s Council since 1993. From 1998 to 2003, Eliot was a member of the Harvard Health Policy and Management Executive Council. He was also involved in the field of medicine through his role as a trustee of the Beth Israel Hospital from 1974 to 1996. He continued to serve in this capacity through the formation of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he was also the Co-Chairman of the Board of Overseers.

Eliot was also committed to improving the state of economic education for children in the United States. He actively sought to increase economic literacy and improve the reach and scope of the curriculum nationally. As the Director of the National Council of Economic Education (NCEE), Eliot participated in educational initiatives in conjunction with the Joint Council of Economic Education, Massachusetts Economic Education Council, and other like-minded organizations. His involvement in education was also demonstrated in his long history with Lesley University. During the institution’s beginnings as Lesley College, Eliot became one of its six directors and held this position for 21 years, until 1971. The initial development of the college, which had a graduating class of 150 women, included acquiring fourteen adjacent properties to build facilities. These facilities now include three Cambridge campuses and fourteen satellites across the United States, and the university has graduated over 70,000 students.3 Eliot was accorded NCEE’s George F. Baker Award in 1994.

Chronology

April 10, 1921

Eliot Snider born to Harry and Lena Koralitz Snider.

1937

Graduated from Boston Latin School.

1941

Received a B.A. from Harvard University.

1943

Received an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

1943-1946

Served as a Lieutenant, Officer-in-Charge, in the United States Navy with the Ordnance department in Materials and Handling.

1946-1953

Joined Massachusetts Lumber Company operations, working for George McQuesten Company.

1947

Son, Andrew, was born.

1949

Son, Paul, was born.

1952

Daughter, Nancy, was born.

1953

Became president of Massachusetts Lumber Company.

1954

Moved George McQuestern Company from East Boston to North Billerica, Massachusetts.

1957

Joined the Young Presidents Organization.

1970

Joined the Chief Executives Organization and the World Presidents Organization.

1974-1996

Served as Beth Israel Hospital Trustee.

1981

Received the National Conference of Christians and Jews Annual Award.

1988

Served on Museum of Fine Arts Board of Overseers.

1993

Joined the Dean’s Council of the Harvard School of Public Health.

1994

Received National Council of Economic Education George F. Baker Award.

1996

Served as Trustee/Overseer Co-Chairman of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

1998-2003

Served as a member of the Harvard Health Policy & Management Executive Council.

2002-2006

Served as Treasurer (2002), Vice Chair (2003) and Chairman (2004-2006) of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach & Marin Counties.

2005

Received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Lesley University.

This collection contains documents and artifacts regarding Eliot I. Snider’s involvement in business, public health, philanthropy, politics, education, and his family life. Records describing Massachusetts Lumber Company operations and development primarily consist of its subsidiaries’ ledgers, articles, and publications, with the bulk of the material related to Richardson Dana, and George McQuesten. There is also correspondence with foreign lumber companies and notes on foreign lumber industries that highlight Eliot’s connection to the international lumber trade. Meeting minutes and program materials illustrate the activities of various organizations which Eliot served in a governing capacity, either as a Trustee on the Overseers Board or as Director. Eliot and Ruth took many trips abroad, several of which were as members of professional organizations, such as the Young Presidents Organization. Travel guides, itineraries, maps, receipts, pamphlets and brochures, articles, notes, and postcards document these excursions and conferences. The collection also contains many photographs and slides, the bulk of which depict Eliot’s extensive travels, operations at Massachusetts Lumber, and activities with his family. Statements, receipts, and income tax returns describe the scope of the Sniders’ financial development, activities, and standing. Milestones from Eliot’s family life are presented through correspondence and notes. The collection also includes a series of oversized documents, which include blueprints from the construction of the Snider residence in Swampscott, Massachusetts, diagrams of structures from George McQuesten Company, a large ledger, and other artifacts.

Some folders contain restricted materials, including personal records and confidential documents. These records cannot be accessed without permission from the archivist.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Collections and Engagement of the American Jewish Historical Society,
except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011email:
reference@ajhs.org

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content:

This series contains documents pertaining to Eliot Snider’s activities as a member of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) Board of Trustees and Board of Overseers. Along with G. West Saltonstall, Eliot was also Co-Chairman of the Overseers. These records include meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and scripts which describe Beth Israel Hospital and Deaconess Hospital merging together to form Beth Israel Deaconess in 1996. The major focus of these documents is the preparation, reception, and administration of this merger. This also consists of the development of BIDMC and Board personnel, as well as trustee applications to the Board of Overseers and the guidelines for this appointment. Memos and rosters also describe fundraising and operations within the organization, including development and governing committees. Proposals and program plans outline initiatives regarding research, education, and alternative medicine.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically subject.

Scope and Content:

This series describes various business enterprises related to Massachusetts Lumber Company--which Eliot Snider has been President of since 1953--and the general lumber industry. Ledgers and account books depict the sales for branches of Massachusetts Lumber Company, including Richardson Dana Division, George McQuesten, Deering Winslow, Wood Fabricators Inc., and Portland Spar. Business operations within and among these branches are also described in flyers and brochures, advertisements, product specifications, and correspondence. Early operations at George McQuesten were also recorded as moving images that have since been transferred to DVD and VHS format. Eliot’s role in the international development of the lumber industry is evident in his relations with foreign lumber exporters and wood product fabricators in Japan and Thailand. These relations are described in correspondence and product descriptions, and also include Japanese samples of fabricated wood. Eliot also developed a patented product which he sold through a Massachusetts Lumber subsidiary, Wood Fabricators Inc.,US Patent # 3364646 for the WOODBAR wooden joist beam. This was one of several proprietary products, described in product specification brochures issued by Wood Fabricators Inc. and UniHome Corporation, which represented Eliot’s efforts to expand the commercial operations of his lumber company through prefabricated wood construction.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically subject.

Scope and Content:

This series describes Eliot Snider’s participation in various initiatives aimed at increasing the economic literacy of children in the United States. He worked on behalf of the National Council of Economic Education, the Joint Council on Economic Education, and the Massachusetts Economic Education Council. These records include publications, newsletters, correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, and programs guides. Many of these guides present educators with lessons plans and discussion topics specifically to describe basic economic concepts to elementary aged children. Meeting minutes, agendas, correspondence, programs, and rosters define the administration of these organizations, the activities of their governing bodies, and cooperation between these initiatives. A commendation letter signed by President James Carter recognizes Eliot Snider’s efforts developing this initiative.

Box

Folder

Title

Date

Request

3

22

Commendation

1979, 1990

3

23

Economic Education Council of Massachusetts

1974-1985

3

24

The Elementary Economist

1980s

3

25

Joint Council on Economic Education

1973

Box

Folder

Title

Date

Request

4

1-4

Joint Council on Economic Education

1974-1980

4

5-6

Joint Council on Economic Education – Annual Reports

1974, 1976-1977, 1980, 1983-1986

4

7-8

Joint Council on Economic Education – Curriculum Guides

1977, 1984-1985

4

9

Joint Council on Economic Education – Economic Education Experiences

1980-1985

4

10-11

Joint Council on Economic Education – National Survey

1981

4

12

Joint Council on Economic Education – Trustee Handbook

1983-1985

4

13

Lesley College

1976-1980

4

14

Miscellaneous Publications

1973-1983

4

15-18

National Center of Economic Education for Children

1979-1983

Box

Folder

Title

Date

Request

5

1-2

National Center of Economic Education for Children

1982-1985

5

3

National Center of Economic Education for Children – Correspondence

1983-1985

5

4

National Center of Economic Education for Children – Exploring the Community Marketplace

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Scope and Content:

This series contains documents relating to the Snider family's activities and personal affairs. Handwritten notes, correspondence, and other planning documents describe Bar Mitzvah celebrations for Andrew and Paul. Receipts and notes account for the value of items taken in a 1987 robbery. The Snider's Swampscott, Massachusetts residence is detailed in a descriptive report of its specifications and attributes. Correspondence describes the Snider family's relationship with various social institutions, and Ruth Snider's correspondence with her sister and children spans a wide time period and includes missives from many geographic locations. Other family items include recipes, illustrations, booklets on household items, and a vinyl record of American jazz guitarist Irving Ashby. Biographical information on Eliot Snider and his family is included in articles printed by the Harvard Business School and publicity features issued by the Massachusetts Lumber Company. This series also includes personal items from the Snider family, including photography and slide viewing accessories and a carved wooden frame.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by school and topic.

Scope and Content:

This series describes Eliot's Snider's involvement with several Harvard University organizations and institutions as an alumnus and active member of various governing bodies. Eliot's involvement with the Harvard School of Business focused primarily on the Social Enterprise Initiative. These records include agenda and minutes of meetings, informational packets and newsletters describing developmental initiatives, and publications for promoting these programs to individuals interested in professional development. Members of the Social Enterprise Advisory Board are listed in rosters, with contact information and biographical sketches. Tables outline Harvard statistics concerning student populations and admissions. Information from the School of Public Health includes informational brochures and publications on health care, illustrated with graphs and tables, as well as Harvard's public health programs, agenda, and policies. There are also developmental reports and statistics, and correspondence detailing Eliot's association with the school's officials and programs.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Scope and Content:

This series contains the records of Eliot Snider's financial transactions and activities. Receipts, invoices, and billing statements describe purchases the Sniders made from a variety of vendors. Statements also detail philanthropic efforts, such as the Snider Charitable Trust. This trust has been the patron of a wide variety of organizations, including the Arnold Arboretum, the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the Salvation Army, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Boston, the Harvard University Art Museum, and the Cambridge Family Children's Services. Other records include documents gathered and prepared for income tax returns, include reports on assets and investments. Detailed descriptions of properties the Sniders owned in Florida and Nantucket consist of mortgage applications and agreements, itemized inventories, and correspondence discussing purchase and sale activities.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by location and topic.

Scope and Content:

This series contains photographs and slides, as well as several negatives, many of which Eliot Snider took during the various trips he embarked on abroad. Many photographs and slides also depict family vacations and activities, as well as operations at various branches of the Massachusetts Lumber Company. Eliot primarily photographed scenes from other countries which included art, distinctive architecture, attractions, lumber operations, travel companions, and the daily activities of the country's inhabitants. Notable landmarks include Buddhist temples in Thailand, Hawaii, and Japan, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Hagia Sophia, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Grand Kremlin Palace, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Photographs of the Massachusetts Lumber Company show equipment and staff members engaged in daily operations over the course of several decades. Noteworthy photographs depict images of the original Massachusetts Lime and Cement Company site in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the original George McQuesten East Boston site and early 20th century operations. Portrait photographs of Eliot Snider are from various decades and consist of professional prints and contact sheets.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by location.

Scope and Content:

This series contains documents regarding trips Eliot Snider and members of his family made outside of Massachusetts. The majority of these documents were acquired during trips made with organizations such as the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), the Chief Executive Organization (CEO), the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO), and the World Business Council (WBC), among others. Preparations for these trips are noted in itineraries, flight manifests, registration forms, and informational brochures and packets. Many of these organizations sponsored conferences and work sessions for business development worldwide. They often took participants on tours through multiple countries and discussed current topics in business and politics, such as the effects of globalization, commercial development in the EU and worldwide, global communication, and social programming. Guide books, maps, notes, newspaper clippings, brochures, pamphlets, and cruise line newsletters cover areas in North and South America, the Caribbean Islands, Europe, East Asia, North Africa, and Australia. Correspondence with Mr. Snider reveals several trips taken between 1957 and 1971 undocumented elsewhere in the series materials. These trips include the following excursions: Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Sweden, and Norway; Brazi, Argentina, and Chile; Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakech, and Tangier; Kenya safari; Capetown; Berlin to Zurich river cruise; Israel; and St Moritz (Eliot Snider, letter to Kora Welsh, September 23, 2014). Records of foreign dignitaries and political figures invited to meet convention participants include Douglas MacArthur II, Shimon Peres, James Gildenhorn, and Frank Carlucci. Other trips documented in this series include Eliot and Ruth's recreational undertakings to various vacation locations on a number of cruise lines, occasionally including their grown children for holiday trips.

Box

Folder

Title

Date

Request

9

10

Acapulco to Aruba (Conference of the Americas) – World Presidents’ Organization

Arrangement:

Arranged by type of material.

Scope and Content:

This series contains the collection's oversized materials, primarily consisting of large ledger books recording transactions between branches of the Massachusetts Lumber Company and their customers. This series also contains a scrapbook of staff at George McQuesten in 1992, a framed photograph of Eliot Snider's Navy unit in 1946, a collage of the Boston Latin School class of 1937, a briefcase, and other artifacts.